Police Investigate Homicide Near Citadel Mall

Credit: KKTV

Colorado Springs police say a man was shot to death just before 3 p.m. Tuesday near the Citadel Mall. His body was found on Galley Road after police responded to a report of gunshots.

The victim is identified as Kenneth Chazz Pritchett, Jr., 31, from Colorado Springs. His death has been ruled a homicide, the fifth of the year for Colorado Springs.

Friends and witnesses tell 11 News the victim was shot in the chest Tuesday afternoon. Mark Cartwright was a close friend of the victim, and considered him family.

"[The victim] was a good dude, he was a standup gentleman and he was a charmer," Cartwright told us.

Friends and family set up a candlelight memorial where the victim was found.

"This is a tragic situation what happened," Cartwright said.

Witnesses Akeem Johnson and Joe Othon told 11 News they were in a tattoo shop across the street. Once they heard roughly five gunshots, they immediately ran outside. They said they could still see and smell smoke from the gun.

"[The victim] rolled off the sidewalk and I could see the blood on his shirt, so it was in the chest at point-blank it looks like," Johnson said.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.